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Fresh off a sold out run at the 2011 SummerWorks Festival, lemonTree creations continues to support collective creation, and in association with TheThem, is bringing the Toronto premiere of PEOPLE4CHANGE to Toronto’s historical Theatre Passe Muraille.

Created and Directed by Raymond Bobgan (Executive Artistic Director, Cleveland Public Theatre, American Theatre Magazine’s one of twenty five artists shaping the future of American Theatre) and featuring the talented ensemble of Colin Edwards, Marissa Zinni and lemonTree creations core member Alisha Stranges who has been noted as “very natural and talented” by Mooney on Theatre and as possessing “a natural style that seems effortless” by CIUT.FM radio.

First performed at the Cleveland Public Theatre, People4Change follows three young professionals who join forces to make a difference in the world after witnessing a sudden death on the subway tracks. Their efforts to “help the world,” range from the naïve to the sublime when they open a phonebook and start calling random people for donations to their various causes. In a world inundated with global information (and global suffering), self-help and spiritual panaceas, and contradictory common values, this play examines the frustration, isolation, and passion of ‘Generation Y-ers’ in North America. “What are you concerned about right now?” This is the question the company began with, and each of them had a completely different yet equally passionate response. As three extremely self-aware individuals with an aggressive desire to question and comment on the state of their global community, they went in search of a unified voice that would speak to their own generation, while pushing the boundaries of theatrical form given to them by their predecessors. People4Change is rooted in the creators’ experience as Canadians—more specifically, young, urban-city dwellers, who neither suffer from social or financial disadvantage nor benefit from privilege. As members of this specified group, they give a voice to their experience.

What People are saying about PEOPLE4CHANGE:
“The world can be a confusing place, especially for young people looking to contribute something to society. I think this play has the potential to speak to many people who are concerned with the state of the world, and how to reconcile personal and social responsibilities. And [TheThem] explores this theme with charm, wit, depth, and in interesting, fresh and innovative ways.”
-Karin Randoja, Co-founder of Toronto’s Independent Auntie Theatre

“I am most intrigued to see how they are developing a common voice that speaks to and from their own generation, using the techniques they have taken from an earlier generation of physical artists. They are well positioned to make theatre with all the passion and cynical clarity of their peers in styles that will resonate with their generation. It is a real joy for me to see them moving in their own direction rather than replicating the theatre with which they grew up.”
-Diana Belshaw, Program Director, Humber College Theatre Performance Program

“I was deeply moved by People4Change… best new play I’ve seen in years. I wish I could have seen it a second time.”
-Jonathan Wilhelm, Playwright

ABOUT lemonTree creations
lemonTree creations was established in 2007 by Indrit Kasapi to develop his first play, THE RED DEVIL, presented at the Summerworks Theatre Festival (NOW Magazine, Outstanding Ensemble & Outstanding Direction ‘08). In 2009, the company presented a sold out run of Jean Genet’s DEATHWATCH as an Official Event of the Toronto Pride Festival. lemonTree creations explores the question of what is lost in translation between borders, identities and sexuality through Canadian and international theatrical creations that combine different art mediums and push boundaries of the theatrical experience.
WHAT: PEOPLE4CHANGE

WHO: lemonTree creations in association with TheThem

WHEN: September 13- September 24, 2011
Tuesday September 13 7:30pm (Preview)
Wednesday September 14 7.30pm (Opening)
Performances Tuesday – Saturday 7.30 pm, PWYC Saturdays at 2 pm.

WHERE:
Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace
16 Ryerson Avenue [One block Northeast of Bathurst & Queen]

TIX: General Admission $20, Senior/Student/Arts Worker $15
Buy tickets at www.artsboxoffice.ca or call 416.504.7529